Getty Museum

Oinochoe

Date

A.D. 1–79

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Roman

Department

Vessels

Institution

Getty Museum

Except for three concentric incised rings at the join of the neck to the shoulder, the body of this bronze oinochoe (pitcher) is undecorated. At the base of the handle is an attachment in the form of a gorgon’s head. The central rib of the arching handle takes the form of a snake's body, its head modelled free of the handle itself, perhaps for use as a thumb rest. On each side of the handle is a spool-shaped ornament. Wealthy Romans, such as those who owned luxurious homes on the Bay of Naples, used vessels like this for serving wine at banquets.

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